The Judging Policy:

**ALL JUDGES ARE REQUIRED TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS. ANY QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE JUDGING STAFF IMMEDIATELY**

Duties of the Judge

• The primary job of the judge is to moderate the round. Every judge needs to keep decorum within the round.
• Each judge must comprehensively flow the arguments of the round. This flow will need to be presented for any speaker points requiring an oral justification.
• Every judge must complete an extensive Reason For Decision (RFD) including justification for each speaker points and ranks and the winner of the round based upon a wholistic view of the arguments presented.
• Judges must also either rule on points of order within the round or provide an answer on the ballot.
• Each judge must independently preside over time in case disputes arise.

Instructions at the tournament

• At the end of the round the judge should assign a winner, speaker points, and ranks. Turn this sheet (the white sheet) in to JA IMMEDIATELY after the round, BEFORE writing the RFD and speaker comments.
• Ballots will be inspected by the Judging Staff to ensure compliance with all policies including the needs for oral justification, that no low-points wins have been given, and if an ironman was indeed able to pick up.
• Remain with a member of the Judging Staff until your ballot has been approved. At that point, complete the RFD and speaker comments in JA and turn that in before leaving JA.

Instructions for ballots

• Low point wins are not allowed. The winning team in a round must have a cumulative score that is higher than the losing team.
• Ranks must reflect the speaker scores given. I.e. the higher the score, the lower the rank.
• Every ballot must include extensive comments for each speaker as well as for the overall decision.
• All outround judges must be able to justify their decision with an appropriate flow if requested, but written ballots are optional.
• Every judge must complete an RFD which fulfills the following qualifications:
  • Judges should make their decisions based ONLY upon what was said in the round and taking into account EVERYTHING that was said in the round.
  • Judicial intervention is not allowed.
  • An RFD must show significant care and consideration and must account for stylistic, technical, and analytical aspects of the round.
  • It must justify why each team won the arguments that they did and justify why those arguments were the most important parts of the round.
  • A competitor reading your ballot should not be unclear as to why you made the decision that you did, even if they disagree with it.
• ALL BALLOTS AND JUDGES THAT FULLY MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE UPHELD BY THE TOURNAMENT.

Point Scale

• The point scale is centered on a 24.5. A more extensive explanation of this policy can be found elsewhere in this packet.
• As would be implied by our centering on a 24.5, we are allowing half points to be given; no smaller decimals will be permitted.
• Speaker points may be deducted for any speaker who is particularly rude or infringes on the competitor’s ability to debate fairly. This conduct is allowed to be penalized without a Point of Personal Privilege being called.

POCs (Points of Clarification)

·        POCs are not included within time but POIs are.

·        Allow for POCs in order to insure the quality of the round but within a reasonable level of timeliness. If they are being used excessively, encourage the speaker to continue.

POOs (Points of Order)

• Rule immediately on POOs related to time.
• Other POOs can be ruled upon immediately or be taken under consideration and decided upon on the ballot. Do not stop time to consider POOs.

How to treat ironmen

• If you are judging a round where one team is composed of only one debater you must give separate points and ranks for each position performed by that debater.
• Unless otherwise notified, assume that the ironman team is able to win the round.

Scratches

• All judges will be tab-scratched from judging any school that they have been or are currently affiliated with.
• Notify the Judging Director of any other additional teams you would like to be scratched from or have been involved with, for any reason. This is imperative. This includes schools you may have coached, founded, or dated among- you are required to notify us of any conflicts of interests you may have. Failure to comply will result in the termination of your participation at Nationals.

Oral justifications

• Oral justifications must be given for any speaker points of 23 or below or 27 and above. These must be given to the judging staff at Nationals. 
• Oral justifications must include a detailed flow and the judge must be prepared to answer questions about the round.
• Do not hesitate to give these scores, simply be aware that they must be justified.
• We expect most speeches at Nationals to be above average, but want to insure the legitimacy and rationale behind those decisions and guard against point inflation.

All Concerns

• For any and all concerns regarding the judging policy don’t hesitate to contact the Judging Staff

Judging Director:

• Amanda Fuller (720-341-3046)

Assistant Judging Directors:

• Abby Hinchcliff (607-229-3331)
• Laura Silver (610-715-3859)